The UK’s ambitions in space manufacturing have reached new heights with the official opening of the Advanced Composites Manufacturing Enterprise (ACMA) in Hardwicke, Gloucester.
The state-of-the-art facility, developed by iCOMAT – a University of Bristol spin-out – is set to generate over 2,000 skilled jobs and position Britain at the forefront of next-generation spacecraft production.
Backed by £4.8m from the UK Space Agency’s Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund (SCIF), the ACMA represents a pivotal step toward strengthening the UK’s domestic space capabilities and global competitiveness.
UK Space Minister Liz Lloyd emphasised the significance of ACMA: “The opening of this space manufacturing facility is a win for British ingenuity and testament to our commitment to backing our homegrown space sector.
“The innovative technology developed here will support everything from our thriving satellite industry to future deep space missions.”
Transforming the future of lightweight spacecraft
The 45,000 sq ft factory is home to iCOMAT’s pioneering Rapid Tow Shearing (RTS) technology – a game-changer in the production of composite materials for satellites, rockets, and other spacecraft.
RTS allows engineers to build ultra-lightweight, highly efficient structures that are both stronger and more sustainable than those made using traditional composite manufacturing techniques.
By enabling significant reductions in spacecraft weight and cost, iCOMAT’s technology directly addresses one of the most critical challenges in the space sector: improving fuel efficiency and payload capacity for missions beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
Dr Evangelos Zympeloudis, CEO and Founder of iCOMAT, explained: “We are immensely grateful for the investment from the UK Space Agency, which has been pivotal in establishing this world-class facility.
“By leveraging our expertise in advanced materials, we are creating opportunities for the space industry to develop more efficient, sustainable vehicles, whilst creating a domestic supply chain and strengthening the UK’s competitive position in the global market.
“Our team is excited to be fully operational, engaging with the UK space industry and beyond, driven by iCOMAT’s unique patented technology.”
A collaborative hub for innovation
Located in the Western Gateway region – a key hub for the UK’s expanding space ecosystem – the ACMA has been strategically designed to foster collaboration among academic institutions, start-ups, and global industry leaders.
Construction began in 2023, with total investment reaching £8.2m,, including match funding from iCOMAT and over £800,000 from the European Space Agency’s General Support Technology Programme (GSTP).
The facility was inaugurated with an event attended by representatives from the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, and major international players such as Orbex, Lockheed Martin, and Thales Alenia Space.
Guests explored the fully automated factory floor and witnessed live demonstrations of the RTS process in action.
Dual production lines for diverse space applications
ACMA’s advanced infrastructure includes two dedicated production lines designed to serve multiple space manufacturing markets.
The 2D-RTS line focuses on producing satellite panels, solar array substrates, and other flat or curved components.
Meanwhile, the 3D-RTS line enables fabrication of complex geometries like propellant tanks for upper-stage rockets, using precision fibre steering technology.
The facility also operates on an open-access model, allowing external partners to utilise RTS technology for their own projects – from retrofitting existing spacecraft to developing entirely new design concepts.
Beyond space: Broader industrial impact
While the ACMA primarily serves the space sector, its composite manufacturing expertise extends to adjacent industries such as aerospace and automotive engineering.
This versatility underscores iCOMAT’s broader mission to revolutionise lightweight design across multiple high-performance markets.
With its opening, the ACMA cements the UK’s leadership in space manufacturing, boosting innovation, job creation, and sustainability – marking a defining moment in the nation’s journey toward a thriving, globally competitive space economy.
